Gotham Review: 13 Stitches (Season 5 Episode 6)
Shorter seasons can be disappointing sometimes, but they can also breathe new life into a show.
Gotham Season 5 Episode 6, “13 Stitches,” illustrates things that have always been the show’s best traits. The pairing of bad guys and good guys to protect the city, the twists on the familiar DC Comics stories, and the wild action sequences are all benchmarks of Gotham at its best.
Being a shortened final season also gives each episode a sense of urgency that isn’t always felt throughout the rest of the show’s run. This has largely rejuvenated Gotham into one of the better Network-TV adaptations at present.
The story with Jim, Nygma, and the return of Lee Thompkins (!!!) throws a compelling wrench in the complicated Jim/Barbara relationship. When Lee resurfaces, it not-so-surprisingly turns out that Lee is also a military weapon tasked with killing Jim Gordon.
But that’s not the surprising part.
The surprising part is the bombshell toward the end, when Barbara and Jim’s reunion/dalliance turns out to have resulted in pregnancy!
Gotham hasn’t always mastered the Batman twists, but this seems to be a a firm push toward Barbara Gordon existing in this world. Ultimately, Gotham took a left turn that made Barbara Keen’s arc far more interesting than any love interest could ever be, and still brought things full-circle back to the Gordon-Keen offspring.
While Nygma, Barbara, Jim, Bruce, Alfred, and Lucius are all bonded through their love for Gotham City and its people, Penguin and Selina turn out to be bonded by their desire to leave.
Penguin and Selina see no hope for Gotham and look for an opportunity to start over. This story isn’t fully fleshed out, but it’s only a matter of time before they join in Gordon’s crusade against the military to save the city. They love Gotham City more than they think they do.
Really, the only disappointment on “13 Stitches” was the unceremonious birth of Bane. He’s dying, they put a mask on him, he’s not dying anymore. Stupid.
That story, though, is still important because it will serve as the catalyst for all of Gotham City’s finest and not-so-finest to fight back against someone who doesn’t think their city is worth anything.
A few stray thoughts:
- One of the best things about the hero/villain team ups is Harvey Bullock having no idea that Nygma was trying to stall and solving his puzzle too quickly. Hilarious.
- But maybe THE best moment: Nygma and Jim jumping behind the counter in the shootout at Barbara’s. This show has the best crazy action sequences.
- Erin Richards is a fantastic actress. This has been your weekly reminder.
- I’m not sure I understand what’s happening with Jeremiah. Is he dead, and this is a third Cameron Monaghan character? Or has he been unceremoniously resurrected like his brother before him?
- All I know is, there’s a vat of toxic waste in the next episode. Get. Hype.
What did you think of this episode of Gotham? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Gotham airs Thursdays at 8/7c on FOX.
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Nick Hogan
Nick Hogan is an experienced podcaster and writer (particularly on media topics), who loves discussion and analysis of TV and is always looking for new shows to watch. He is also a parent who loves buffalo wings, blowing raspberries, and his beloved Cincinnati Reds.